Legislator takes on NFL, sort of
Jan 30, 2015, 9:00 AM | Updated: 12:48 pm
A lawmaker wants to cash in on Marshawn Lynch's fines or any other professional athlete who gets in trouble in Washington state. (AP photo)
(AP photo)
A Washington lawmaker wants to cash in on Marshawn Lynch’s fines or any other local professional athletes who get in trouble with the NFL.
State Rep. Drew MacEwen has filed a bill that would require any fines any local athlete gets to go to charities in Washington.
NFL players rack up thousands of dollars in fines every season. The money goes to the NFL office in New York, and then the league decides which charity benefits.
“This is really my shot across the bow of the NFL, kind of calling it out and raising the issue,” he said. “I think there are some bigger issues that they really need to address so they can have an impact on society.”
MacEwen admitted that this bill is also a protest of sorts against the way the NFL has handled some of its legal issues lately, and he admitted his bill is likely unenforceable, even if it were to pass. Washington has no jurisdiction over the NFL.
“Sometimes we do these to send a message,” Rep. MacEwen said. “I’m not sure how this would really be implemented. It’s my hope that we can raise the awareness and hopefully get the NFL to change its policy.”
The bill would not apply to say Ndamukong Suh if we was fined for stomping on Russell Wilson after a sack. It would only cover pro athletes who play for teams in Washington.
This bill hasn’t yet been scheduled for a hearing in Olympia.
